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Reflections
By: Pastor Robert Summers
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HIS EYES WERE LIKE BLAZING FIRE
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then
He placed His right hand on me and said do not be afraid. I am the First
and the Last. I am the Living One… The Living One. The resurrected Lord. When John saw Him in his vision, he encountered One "like the Son of Man." John’s attempt to describe Him is limited by human perception and language. "His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like a blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters." (Rev. 1:14-15) John ended up falling at His feet as a dead man. I know there is a glory, a fantastic beauty to the Lord, which I have not yet beheld. There is an excitement and awe to His presence I have yet to experience. Certainly I have enjoyed measures of triumph and known moments of divine visitation. If I had not had those experiences in Christ, I would not have made it through this far in life. The Lord who spoke to John was concerned about two key factors in the church. The seven churches of Asia were not judged by their history no matter how good their past. They were not judged by their "usefulness" nor their size or prosperity. They were judged by whether the fire of God still burned within their midst—and whether they were fulfilling the very purpose for which God raised them up. These two tests still apply to the Church today. Is the fire of God still burning in our candlestick? Is the corporate body fulfilling its destined purpose? Is the church in God’s will? Therein lies the great issue, the battle for life in the local assembly. It is not a matter of merely doing good works. It’s a matter of passion for God and His ordained works. It is possible to do many good works and still miss the purpose for which God raised up a congregation. As His people we need an undying passion for His presence and His purpose. This is the only true measure of our success. To miss this mark is to miss life itself. A church alive is filled with the exciting wonder of His presence and headed in the direction of His divine will. The power of the Lord’s presence should leave the visitor breathless and awe-struck. Our prayer is for the Church to experience the centrality of the living Christ in our midst. The Church in the Book of Acts changed the world—not through tips, techniques and high tech equipment. Nothing less than Christ’s holy presence will do. That alone will refine the heart of sinful man. Oh, Lord, come to your Church! Blessings, PRAYER TIME WE’RE ARMED AND DANGEROUS! Be sober, be watchful, your adversary the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The Word says we have been given powerful weapons for spiritual warfare. We especially need the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16) We must be spiritually armed—or risk being devoured. We are fighting against cunning spiritual forces of evil. (Ephesians 6:12) Faith is used as a shield to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16) As we move together into our place as God’s people, especially in the new Wednesday night Prayer and Miracles service, we can expect the enemy to fire back. But we have faith as a shield. The enemy will probe, try to confuse us, attempt to discourage, even denigrate us. We won’t take it lying down. We are well armed with faith and prayer. Let us be certain to center our Wednesday night services around prayer and the word of faith. Expect that people with needs will be drawn. Expect miracles. I ask all participants to come help us pray and minister unto the Lord. I also ask that you refrain from a lot of talking about certain leadings or from giving wordy exhortations. This is prayer time. Bear in mind we are soldiers on a battlefield. We are in a real fight. Be supportive. In faith pray and declare the Word. Scriptural words of faith are almost always in order—if they do not break the flow of the Spirit. Sadly I have seen powerful spiritual anointings diminish after someone came up to address us and kept talking until the Spirit lifted. We will keep these meetings centered upon the Lord’s presence. ". . . The weapons of our warfare are . . . mighty." (II Corinthians 10:4) I believe we will pull down some major strongholds and see captives set free, in Jesus’ Name! Let’s be committed to the Lord’s service. Let’s give our best and see the Lord work miracles. Watch and see! Grace to You,
THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD
In Deuteronomy 32, which is a psalm of Moses, he praises the Lord and, in verse six, asks the question, "Is not He your Father who has bought you?" We are indeed a bought people, purchased by the blood of the Lamb. We are our Father’s children. When we purchased Prayer Mountain, we needed a survey of the land. Our surveyor had to resort back to an ancient landmark, or benchmark, as a point of reckoning. That rock was at least a mile away from our nearest boundary line. He had to cut trails through brush to get there. The Bible’s revelation of God as Father is like an ancient landmark. When you have finished searching through all religious doctrine and dogma, you will find the most foundational revelation of all is not some thing or precept—but some ONE. That Someone is the Lord, revealed as Father. He is the point of origin for all true belief. He is the Rock! The Christian experience is one of discovery, experiencing the deeper love of the Father through Jesus Christ. How different this is from Islam, for example. Islam declares, "Allah has no sons!" That statement is carved over the lintels of mosques. The scriptural teaching that says we are the offspring of God is foreign to Islamics. To know God and to experience Him as Father is anathema to them. They have no spiritual relationship, although they may desire to please God. Thankfully, we have a heavenly Father who loves us. He teaches His sons to be like Jesus, His only begotten Son. Indeed, in the words of Moses: "their rock is not like our Rock." Come today to the Rock that is higher than any other. Build your life upon that Rock! Men, stand strong upon that Rock! Fathers, we appreciate you and pray richest blessings. Robert Summers BY MY SPIRIT This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 The tools of our faith are spiritual. The weapons of our warfare are spiritual. This is the essential truth of the Christian faith. The Holy Spirit is always the key to victory. The Holy Spirit was the fire in Moses’ burning bush. The Holy Spirit was the fire in the pillar of fire that lighted the camp of Israel in the wilderness. The Holy Spirit was the flame in the torches of Gideon’s 300 warriors. The Holy Spirit was the fire that fell upon Elijah’s altar and consumed a water-drenched sacrifice. The Holy Spirit was the fire which came as tongues of fire at Pentecost, empowering the Church. Locked in a battle for Jerusalem’s future, the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, was growing weary and discouraged. Then he was stirred up through a Holy Spirit inspired word of faith. In essence, he was told the work would be finished by God’s power and grace. He would see the completed work. Back in 1992, this work on Prayer Mountain was beginning to languish. We had only a foundation slab laid. We met in our small fellowship room, which was heated by the fireplace. Des Evans, my pastor, came to the mountain to give me the word from Zachariah which begins this article. Suddenly I felt a fresh empowering of the Holy Spirit. From that moment forward, I knew that victory would come—not by human effort and resources, but by the Spirit of the Lord. Eighteen months later we dedicated this chapel, built without a mortgage debt. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness! The Holy fire of God’s Spirit is present today. Receive Him gladly. Blessings, Robert Summers GOD UNLIMITED I pray
that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through
His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long
and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that
surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of the
fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV The Word of
God always presents us with a God who is infinite in all His attributes.
His resources of love and goodness never run out. God is unlimited. We live in a
finite world. We perceive things through limits. Faith helps to vault us
into the Spirit’s realities beyond the finite. Faith is like binoculars.
It has the ability to bring into focus that which is dim and distant. All things
are possible with God. God’s possibilities and realities are beyond our
understanding. Our faith does not create reality. It merely sees the
reality which God in Christ Jesus has already established. We do not
always have a ready supply which is seen. This is because the Lord has
called us to be a community of faith. The elders of times gone by obtained
a good report because they believed God for the invisible. Thus they
proved the validity of faith. They saw God’s order, God’s best even in
confusing times. They walked by faith. Saints, the
Lord has both the integrity and ability to bring to pass what He has
promised. With God all things are possible. Believe Him, regardless of
your circumstances. Have faith in
God! Experience His fullness today. Richest
blessings, Robert
Summers
GATHERING UNTO HIM
We are invited to come, in Hebrews 10, unto the Lord Himself. Our gatherings are "to Him." We are made for the purpose of fellowship, for the pleasure of His company. The special privilege we share is that we can come to Him—and at the same time come together for loving fellowship with one another. We gather also to build up, stir up, and cheer up one another. Together we all have the synergy, the boundless strength that comes from faith in Christ and obedience to His Word. The life we share together is an inspiring reflection of God’s love. Happy are the people who share fellowship together: The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5:6 NIV) Pity those people who have left the Church because the pews were not comfortable or the preacher’s style did not suit them. They missed the higher reason for coming together. "Unto Him" is the real reason for our church gatherings. Jesus is the One who strengthens, who heals, who encourages! Where else can you find such a lifesaving, hope instilling encounter? Let us not abandon the flock of God. Let us not jump ship. The "Old Gospel Ship" is the same boat which will carry us all the way home—unto Him. Stay with the boat. We’re on our way home. Richest blessings, Pastor Robert MEMORIAL STONES When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, "What are these stones?" then you shall let your children know… Joshua 4:21, 22 We must occasionally pause to remember, lest we end
up There is another false assumption we sometimes hear. People who don’t know better often assume that the building stone on our chapel was merely picked up from this rocky hilltop. Let’s set the record straight. The building stone was actually a gift given to us by an old soldier from World War II. He did not live to see the chapel completed. Here’s the story: Charles (Charley to us) Rodgers was a skinny GI who was an ace tank repairman with Gen. George Patton’s famous tank corps. In the winter of 1945, the US Army was pushing through Bavaria. Charley drove a heavy wrecker, scouting out each newly conquered region. He was always in search of a big warehouse building where his crew could set up shop to repair the damaged tanks. When they entered Dachau, Germany, a town near Munich, Charley was already scanning the horizon to find a large facility. He saw a sprawling compound at the edge of town and headed for it. He entered to find the terrible, grisly sight of Jewish victims of Hitler’s "Final Solution." Arriving almost simultaneously was a US Army medic. Both men were stunned, horrified beyond words. They immediately leapt into action. With Charley’s huge bolt cutters, they opened the front gate. By a miracle, Charley had ended up with a big case of canned sardines in his jeep. (The case had been expropriated from a ruined Nazi supply truck.) Together these two American soldiers began to feed the starving prisoners who crowded around them. That was the defining moment of Charley’s life. He found Christ as his Savior years later at Wildwood Church in the Texas Hill Country. Only then did his shattered nerves begin to heal. Charley was the man who gave the beautiful stone to us for this building. The golden colored stone was his gift as a memorial to those Jews who lived and died at Dachau. The rock has the same golden cast to it as the beautiful stone used for buildings in Jerusalem. What do these stones mean? They remind us of Freedom’s price. They point back to one American GI who played a small but significant role in saving lives—some of whom would return to restore Israel. These are not ordinary building stones. They were quarried for us by a man who could not forget. As the poet Rudyard Kipling wrote, "Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet Lest we forget! Lest we forget!" In God’s grace, Robert Summers TOGETHER Now all who believed were together… So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart… Acts 2:44-46 The Book of Acts gives us a glimpse of the New Testament Church. The people were together. They were listening, learning, loving, and living in harmony. They were like a team. When I was in school, I played team sports. I learned teamwork. This calls for practiced coordination and cooperation. You drill. You learn to hand off, to assist others. You practice following up on every attempt. A good team has an "esprit d’corps" based on honor, orderly authority, and regard. You expect a good team to share bravely both in loss and in victory. It is essential that all hear and speak the same thing. All need to work the same game plan. This is also a picture of a well organized body. Whether playing ball or playing piano, the activity requires the body to be coordinated. Here at Mountain Creek, we are learning to flow together as a team. Teamwork does not take away one’s liberty. Rather, it increases one’s freedom. Together as a team we can accomplish unlimited things for Christ’s Kingdom. Together our skills and abilities increase exponentially. Together we can accomplish the impossible. Come, be a part of this visionary group of Believers. The spirit of unity here gives rise to gladness of heart—and simplicity. Confusion lends itself to complications. Unity makes all things easy. For those of us who experience unity in Christ, the sky is the limit. Together let us do the work of the Kingdom. Blessings, Robert Summers WHY I PREACH For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! I Corinthians 9:16 The Word of God, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, is the only means for transforming the human heart. An old English Church Bishop once said that "Preaching is the art of making a preacher and delivering that." My life is my message. The Word preaches to me. As I study the Bible, the Holy Spirit studies me. The Word preaches, it shouts to me. It whispers to me. The Holy Spirit first applies God’s truth to me, to my personality and to my experience. He then applies it through me, through my preaching to the hearers. I ponder and mull over the Word in 3 distinct arenas:
Finally, let me say that I preach not to impress, excite, or entertain people. I have a goal and a destination that I want to move this congregation toward. Today I want our church to hear from a godly woman who, with her husband, has impacted the youth community for God. Please receive Judy and Ron as sent from the Lord. JoAn and I are enjoying a much needed break. We are on our way to Honduras. Blessings The Shadow of the Cross From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and raised on the third day. Matthew 16:21 Stunned! That is how Jesus’ disciples reacted to His announcement that He was going to be killed. They were utterly stunned. Their retreat at the spring-fed park at Caesarea Philippi had suddenly turned sour. Peter intensely protested the very idea. To which Jesus responded with a strong rebuke. If they wanted to be His disciples, He pressed them, they would have to deny themselves, take up their crosses, and follow Him (Matthew 16:22-28). That which had seemed so inviting as disciples now rang with a stunning requirement which made their future to be offensive, even deplorable. They could not begin to grasp the enormity of what He was saying. How could their "victory march" end in insult, dishonor, and mockery? Everything they understood about the cross conjured up only the very worst images of suffering, excruciating pain, torture, and victimization. The cross was meant to be "cruel and unusual punishment." It symbolized Rome’s savage, inhumane treatment of its enemies. Why in the world would a Messiah, who could feed the multitudes and command the waves, ever submit to such a deplorable death? Why wouldn’t He avoid the cross? What motivated Him anyway? But wait. Let’s not be too hard on the disciples. We live on the victory side of the cross. We view it through the open tomb, through the enlightened eyes of the resurrection. We live in victory now because Jesus confronted cosmic powers there at Calvary. Jesus was born to accomplish His Father’s purpose. Amazing love and grace were released to us through the Good Shepherd’s voluntary death for the sheep of His pasture. Jesus could press on through the dramatic scenes of the cross from surrender and weakness to power unlimited! He knew this pivotal event of history would be a glorious victory. You and I live in the shadow of that event, the shadow of the cross. We therefore can say with the apostle Paul, "But God forbid, that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…" (Galatians 6:14) Every blessing we enjoy today arises from His victory at the cross. It was His highest call. Let us set our minds on things above where Christ is risen and seated at the right hand of God the Father. Blessing, Pastor Robert BANNER OF TRUTH You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. Psalm 60:4,5 And Moses built an altar and called its name, "The Lord is My Banner." Exodus 17:15 In times past, a battle would be won or lost depending upon the troops rallying around the banner. The Standard Bearer (the banner guardian) would stand on an elevated rock to view the whole skirmish. He would point out hot spots in the battle and rally troops to certain areas that were bearing the heaviest attacks. Needless to say, the banner was under constant assault. The enemy’s foremost aim was to capture the flag. Today the Lord is lifting up a standard against the floodtide of lies and immorality. In our nation there is a new yearning to return to a reverence for truth and virtue. The Church again must lift up the Word of God and Jesus Christ as the banner of truth. Our lives must become an uplifted standard. On the other hand, there is also in our nation a hatred for the Bible and any standard of truth, especially the Ten Commandments. The media often speaks lies about the Word of God. The Bible is assaulted as a hodgepodge of confusing rules. Our enemy wants to rip down the banner of truth. The simple fact is that the Bible is the main basis of the United States Constitution. It was certainly the basis for Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Act. The faith and wisdom of that great leader who both freed the slaves and saved the Union was wholly a Bible-based faith in God our Father. If the Bible goes from our society, the U.S. Constitution and its guaranteed freedoms will surely fall. Church, the moment we make up our minds that we are going to exalt God above all and lift up His truth, we step out of the world’s parade. The world then comes to hate us because it hates truth—and the One Who is Truth. Jesus has prayed for us that we will be kept by Truth. God’s Word is truth! (See John 17.) Let us build our lives on things eternal. Let’s up lift up the banner of truth. Lift it high! Grace and peace, Robert Summers HEADING OUR WAY, A SPIRITUAL TIDAL WAVE So shall they fear the Name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. Isaiah 59:19 …For if by the one Man’s (Adam’s) offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. Romans 5:15 But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Romans 5:20 We will be ready, by God’s grace. A huge wave of the Spirit is rolling ashore bringing with it a floodtide of spiritual outpouring. Here is the Lord’s script which details this event: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on my menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. Peter’s Message in Acts chapter 2 taken from Joel 2:28. Have you noticed the enemy coming into America lately, like a flood? First comes the floodtide of degraded morals and public corruption. But wait! Look what is rolling ashore: a tidal wave of God’s Holy Spirit standard. In order to be ready, we are rapidly discipling young servant leaders. We are teaching more than a "feel good" experience. We want to see the power of Christ at work through every equipped Believer. Jim Mackey, who ministers the Word today, has training schools in Africa and China. Our local discipleship school is involved in discipling both young men and young ladies. We will need to have many, many trained young workers for this present outpouring. My friend, Keith Brister, at First Baptist Church of Duncanville, has rented a theater auditorium in Grand Prairie to bring people to see The Passion of the Christ film. Pray that many will be impacted by its message. Souls are being swept into the Kingdom. It is a new day. We need "all hands on deck" to accommodate the move of God. Blessings, Pastor Robert FORGET THE PAST Do not remember the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it? Isaiah 43:18-19 I have made you hear new things from this time, even hidden things, and you did not know them. Isaiah 48:6 I was taught in university history classes, "The past is prologue to the future." This is a trustworthy maxim. Even the new things God does in His people are built through the processes of the past. Yet we are told to forget the past—in some instances. We are not to dwell on the negative and often haunting memory of all the "bad baggage" of the past. We are to positively embrace hope. In Christ all things become new. Each day we can proclaim, "This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!" (Psalm 118:24) Even bad happenings of the past, in Christ, lead to good things in the present. "For we know that all things work together for good to them who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) So, confidently we can say, "The past is prologue to the future." But we are not saying, "Rehearse all the problems of the past. Tomorrow will look the same way." No. Indeed not! The Lord foreknew and predestined good things for you. Despite the past pain and shame, you have a new life of purpose as His child. Let us begin the New Year proclaiming God’s future promises in a prophetic manner, as if they were already done. Forget the past. This is a new moment in grace. Let us live in the present hope of glory. Even in hardships, we are more than conquerors in Christ. The future is the Lord’s—and ours. Rejoice. This is the day the Lord has made. Blessings, Pastor Robert THE CHURCH, …And He will teach us His ways. Isaiah 2:3 There are rare times in human history when the whole world is astir with expectancy. Nations shake. Awesome changes send shock waves through every social structure. In times like these you need the Lord. And you need the Lord’s true people—wherever they are found. God has always had a people, a committed company, devoted to prayer and the Word. A real people who know a real Christ! Amidst all the shaking they have peace and security. Their lives are built on the rock, Jesus Christ. "Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands having
this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His’ and ‘Let everyone who
names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’" You are at home among friends here! You are safe here. The New Testament Church is a spiritual community of people who are: 1. Learning Christ (Acts 2:42) 2. Living in fellowship (Acts 2:44) 3. Loving each other (Acts 2:46) 4. Lifting each other (Acts 2:44) We are to be a living model and expression of the Kingdom of God. The Church is relationships more than anything else. The Lord is drawing the whole Church into unity. There remain distinctives and diversity. But like the human body, the Body of Christ is many parts functioning together under His leadership. This "unity of faith" (Ephesians 4:13) is growing out of true worship and prayer together. When we pray, we truly pray as one Church under one Lord’s grace. Come learn of Christ. Let Him school you in the ways of faith, hope, and love. Commit your life to the Lord. Come to the mountain and grow with us in His likeness. Blessings, A CLEAN HEART Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Psalm 51:10-12 Salvation is the evergreen of life. The mercies of the Lord are new every morning. Blood cleansing is a daily process. If impurities build up in our blood, our body becomes jaundiced and begins to die. Life depends upon daily cleansing. Even while we sleep, a cleansing system is at work. Our heart pumps blood through a filtering process in our kidneys. Impurities are carried away to be discharged. Blood cleansing saves our lives day in and day out. In our spiritual lives, unresolved sin issues act like a stopped up heart or a poisoned system. An impure heart leads to the sickness of pride and unfaithfulness. (You cannot predict an impure heart. Proverbs 25:20) A clean heart is like a flowing well which overflows with pure, cool water. Thirsty people are drawn to the fresh well of salvation. Freshness makes the difference between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Life teems in and around Galilee because its waters are always new. The Jordan River flows into it at the north and flows out at the south. Purity is like sunlight—never left over or stale the next day. Each day is fresh. Renewed day after day. Renewal is always a matter of cleansing. The fresh flowing well of salvation, the wellspring of life, comes from daily communion with God. Do not allow hidden sin to stop the flow. Deal with it daily! Let the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus wash away all impurities. The Lord only cleanses confessed sin. Be mindful of opportunities to confess your sin to the One who can wash you clean. Come today and "with joy, draw water from the wells of salvation, for the Lord, Yah, is your strength and song." (Isaiah 12:3) You can leave today with a clean heart, washed in the blood of the Lamb. Grace, Robert Summers
SEEK HIM EARLY
I will seek You early. Isaiah 26:9 Years ago I learned the value of first things first, the priority of seeking the Lord. The Word says, You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You… With my soul I have desired You in the night, yes, by my spirit within me I will seek you early. Isaiah 26:9 In many homes, the first thing that happens every morning is that the television is turned on, coffee is being brewed, news is being blended with weather and commercials. This was typical at our house. When the Lord moved us back to Dallas to plant a new work (our present ministry) He placed us into a difficult situation. Our previous secretary had given us a copy of Oswald Chambers’ classic devotional My Utmost for His Highest. I knew that every day we faced seeming insurmountable odds and contrary forces. I needed a fresh word of hope for each day. I began to arise about thirty minutes before the rest of the family and read a Psalm and a Proverb along with Chambers’ daily devotions. I was surprised to find that I gained clarity for each issue we faced. This became a habit and pattern of my life. It has enriched me over these past two decades. I soon discovered this was also a pattern followed by great spiritual leaders—historical as well as contemporary. Spurgeon, Mueller, Reese Howell, Finney, Praying Hyde, Hudson Taylor, David Brainard—the names go on and on stretching back into ancient history. David prayed, "Lord, You are my God, early will I seek You," in Psalm 63. Abraham (Genesis 22:3) and Jacob (Genesis 28:18) also rose early to pray. The simple priority of seeking God first brings strength and focus to the issues of the day. There is a common Greek New Testament word, "arche" which means "beginning, set pattern, principality, established template, first order." Jesus’ early morning prayers established a right beginning, a set pattern for His day. He put Father God first. God above all! Early prayer is the arche for a life of miracles and power. We all pray. But prayer first is the obvious pattern of all great, spiritual leaders and business men. I urge you all to rise early and seek the Lord and His direction. Every crisis in your life will dissolve before the wisdom and power of Christ. Before you ever realize it, the answer is like a word of faith in our mouth, on your lips. "Faith is the victory that overcomes the world." (1 John 5:4) Faith is born in the womb of the early morning time of seeking God. What ever is born of God overcomes the world. Beloved, seek Him early. Seek Him first. Pastor Robert
HOME FREE AND AT MY BEST Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my
righteous cause; and let them say continually, "Let the Lord be
magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant." And my
tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day
long. When we are liberated by the Holy Spirit to speak words of life, we suddenly feel we have been empowered to function as we should. We know we have been put right—into the stream where blessings flow. We are then at our best. Words can be filled with majestic courage, strength, and intelligence. Words can heal. "He sent His word and healed them." (Psalm 107:20) Or words can breed destruction, hurt, and confusion. (James 3:14-16) Words can open the door of Heaven. Or words can open a life to demonic intrusion. We will only become whole when our tongue is set free from poisonous words. No man can tame the tongue. (James 3:8) Only the Holy Spirit can set us free that we might do what we are created to do: use our tongue to speak words of life and praise. Begin today to use your tongue the right way—to voice praise and adoration to the Lord. Grace, Robert Summers
THE BENEFIT OF PRESSURE
We are pressed on every side, but not cramped
or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed but not driven to
despair. We
need to remember that we all greatly benefit from
pressure. We do not enjoy life’s pressure. Yet we all gain from it,
whether we like it or not. Pressure is necessary to produce diamonds. Without
pressure, they would only be carbon deposits. Pressure makes water flow,
air currents move. Pressure helps us clean things. It removes wrinkles. It
turns pulpwood into paper. It refines oil. It pipes heating gas into our
homes. When pressure is applied to us personally, it can
help us discover the deeper issues we face and bring to the surface the
real heart of the matter. In short, we will not be perfected without
pressure. More pressure equals more perfection. We are in the best of times, yet like Charles Dickens
wrote in “A Tale of Two Cities” it is also the worst of times. Jesus
characterized this age as a time of men’s hearts “swooning away or
expiring with fear, dread, apprehension and expectation of the things that
are coming on the world.” (Luke 21:26 Amplified) That’s pressure! We can rejoice and should rejoice in times of
pressure or trial. Because “our light and momentary affliction (this
slight distress) is ever, more and more abundantly, preparing and
producing for us an everlasting weight of glory.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
Invention and efficiency are born out of times of need and pressure. The
Lord can and will receive glory from our trials. In our need we discover
anew that “the exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from
God and not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 Amplified) We
must never lose heart. The Lord’s Spirit is transforming us from glory
to glory. Trials may abound. So also does the grace of God abound toward
us. We are not victims, but victors—always abounding in the work of the
Lord. Rejoice, the Lord is King! Blessings, Robert Summers THE BLESSING OF BEING A DISCIPLE The words of instruction which Jesus speaks to us are supernatural revelations of higher truths. He does not always “make sense.” Nor should He. Common sense is a given—a simple capacity that most of us already have within us. The Lord does not need to fill up His Word with admonitions to brush our teeth, wash our dishes, make our beds, or go to the grocery store. We do not need a “word” from God about such commonplace things. But He does show us how to live a life of faith in God, pleasing Father God. When we begin to obey His instruction, we find all sorts of fascinating and wondrous prospects beginning to open before us. The showdown of our will versus His will inevitably arises. Thus, we come to a test as self-will and our own understanding of matters cast doubt on His way. Will we submit to His way? Can we pass this test? Here is a basic lesson we learn as we mature: God is smarter than we give Him credit. He really does know best! As we grow in grace, we need to learn this. We should learn from past mistakes. We should be able to submit our rationalizations and reasonings, our unsubmitted heart to God’s higher, better ways. This often calls for laying down our own so-called “rights.” Blessings flow toward the person who is submitted to God’s way. That person always has the right to choose. But the mature disciple has learned to waive his right to choose in order to allow God’s choice for him. “Not my will, but Thy will be done” is the example Jesus left us. (Luke 22:42) The greatest enemy of God’s best in our lives is still our insisting upon our own good choices, although they are not God’s best for us. Let Him choose! Saints of God, let His Word and His Spirit guide you, influence you in all of life. When you walk this way, you cannot miss His will. Jesus is still the answer. He always will be. Follow Him as His disciple. We are blessed with this privilege of knowing and following Him. Blessings, Robert Summers MOTHER OF PEARL Every
one of us innately knows
there is something else, something beyond our norm, of
superlative value. For instance, any mom would prefer a string of real
pearls over a necklace of cheap beads. So also our spirit prefers,
even pines for that which is of inestimable value. We yearn for the pearl
of great price. C.
S.
Lewis once wrote, “The higher and different sort of life of God’s call
is as far above normal life as spiritual life is above biological life.”
Paul attributed his radical change of life to the fact that on the road to
Damascus he saw Jesus. (Acts 26) He found the pearl of great price. He was
confronted with a Person, who was worth far more than all his own
religious trappings. Proverbs
31 speaks of the value of a virtuous woman, a trustworthy wife, and a
caring mother. “Her worth is far above rubies,” we are told. The Word
of God sets a high standard for womanhood. Everything, every area of
God’s Word rings with the knowledge of divine values. Today
we salute our mothers. For many, our moms were our
first source of Godly wisdom. Thank God, this was true in my own family.
Mom taught us children to sing two favorite songs. Both
of them, “Jesus Savior, Pilot Me” and “The Holy City” still
resonate in my spirit to this day. One song taught me my need to have
someone pilot my small boat “over life’s tempestuous seas.” The
other taught me the worth of my own generation, raised up at a time
crucially concurrent with the restored nation of Israel. She made me aware
of the times and of God’s destiny for my life. My
mom prayed over her children, that they would “know the truth and the
truth would set them free.” (John 8:32) She prayed we would all be born
again, be born free in Christ Jesus. That prayer has been answered. All
her children have experienced the liberty which is from God alone. Mothers,
today we honor you, thank you, and bless you. A very special thanks goes
to you moms who taught us the higher ways of God. You are all role players
in a heavenly motherhood. As the Word of God declares, “...the Jerusalem
above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4:26) Thanks,
Moms, both natural and spiritual. You are a true treasure to us. We bless
you. Robert Summers PEACE OF MIND AND GRATITUDE Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in
Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7 Have
you stopped lately to say “Thank You” to the Lord and to others? Do
you realize that gratitude leads to whole-ness, to peace of mind? JoAn
and I are so very grateful to the Lord and to you, our many friends, who
gave love gifts to make this vacation an extra special one. Forty years
ago when I was just weeks away from our wedding day, I dreamed of this
kind of special getaway. Alas, reality set in. I only had enough money to
visit Lookout Mountain (“See Rock City”) in Chattanooga, Tennessee,
then drive through the Great Smoky Mountains on our way to Charlotte,
North Carolina. Today you have made my dream come true. Thanks so much. Our
church is in transition from a good ministry to a great one. This is due
to our serving people whose labor of love far transcends the ordinary. We
have always been a praying ministry. The proof of this is evident. Just
look around at what God has done and you will see the evidence.
I thank God for your prayers. Serving,
giving people have made this ministry a true example of the Body of
Christ. We have faithful teachers, choir and worship musicians,
children’s workers, youth ministers, evangelists, deacons who serve the
sick and needy, generous givers who sustain our missions ministry, office
helpers and grounds keepers. All these wonderful folks do an admirable job
of assuring that this ministry is a beautiful representation of the
Kingdom of God, a light shining in the darkness. We
thank God for all of you. I rejoice over you. I thank God for this hilltop
with its bluebonnets, roadrunners, and yes, even its wildcats. I love
these wooded grounds. We all enjoy the grand view from the summit. May
the God of peace be with you all today. JoAn and I are in San Juan, Puerto
Rico this morning. This evening we will board the ship for our Caribbean
adventure. Please remember us in your prayers. Again, thank you. We deeply
love and appreciate you. Blessings, Pastor
Robert RESURRECTION GLORY Did not the Christ have to
suffer these things and then enter His glory? When the Lord fulfilled His
destiny, it gave Him the right to convey His eternal, resurrection life to
us. He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was
resurrected to an absolutely new life, a glorified life. We too can be born again to a new
life in Christ. We are destined for glory. We are like an eagle, or a
falcon. We were made for the skies. We were made for high flight—not for
the cages of human bondage! The cross and the tomb did not just
“happen” to Jesus. He came for this specific purpose. He came to
conquer sin and the power of death. He came that I might have redemption
and deliverance, that I might know Him “in the power of His
resurrection.” (Philippians 3:10) We have some beautiful examples of
resurrection on Prayer Mountain. One is the “Resurrection Rose” which
climbs up the old rugged cross by the prayer deck. At one time it was a
dead, thorny stump in JoAn’s flowerbed. For some time she had reminded
me to dig up that old brown stub. I finally did so, intending to discard
it by throwing it off the mountain. But I was in a hurry. So I just
pitched it out at the base of the old cross. Days later, after a nice
rain, I was startled to see a green sprout on it. So I decided to bury its
roots in the excess cushion sand there which remained from J.D. Dowd’s
waterline project. By Easter time that bush was covered with blooms. We
were all overjoyed at its glory. Today let’s glorify God for His resurrection life. His Holy Spirit can
work in us a newness of life if we will permit. The old life is gone.
“Behold, He makes all things new.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Rejoice in the
Lamb! He is risen. Hallelujah! Pastor Robert IT IS FINISHED! So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”
And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
John 19:30 Priests
were those anointed men who were set aside for the sole purpose of
sacrifice for sin. Every priest knew the sight and smell of
atonement for sin. A constant fire burned hot upon the altar. Daily a
stream of humanity came before the Temple’s great altar, carrying or
dragging a sacrifice to be placed on the altar. Thousands of calves and
lambs were slain and hoisted upon its massive stones. All of this was a
graphic picture of sin’s great cost, of a need for sacrifice. Blood was
spilled to atone for sin. Yet
there always was the undeniable fact that all this was somehow incomplete,
unfinished. The blood of bulls, goats, and lambs could not really atone
for sin. Such sacrifices could not expiate (take away) the stain of sin in
the human heart. Notwithstanding,
when Jesus, as God’s perfect lamb, obeyed His Father’s plan, He became
our representative, our substitute on the cross. His victory was
total and complete. Therefore, He is the priest in whom we place our faith
for salvation. Only in Him can our deliverance from sin’s bondage be
complete in every regard. Jesus’ work is a finished work. His work is
perfect. In Him, our need for
justification is accomplished. This word simply means we are legally
cleared of all wrongdoing. Our righteousness is realized in Christ. This
means we can have our life’s course set right. And Jesus is our
sanctification. This term speaks of our being declared holy and
consecrated for divine usefulness. All this has been finished in Christ
our sacrifice. “I have finished the work You have given Me to do,”
Jesus affirms in John 17:4. We receive all this benefit, by faith. We
cannot add to it. It is already done. This day is a day of
victory. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in
it. Let us shout with all the heavenly hosts, “Blessed is he who brings
salvation.” We live in the
day of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Grace to you, WHATEVER THE LORD PLEASES For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is
above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does… For it is God who works in you both to will and to do
of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 This coming week let’s repent of unbelief and fast
all doubt. We serve an unlimited Lord. Believe that He can do
anything—because He can! During these revival services with John King, let’s
expect a mighty outpouring of God’s power and miraculous works. Remember
this: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to
show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2
Chronicles 16:9 In this crucial time for the Church, we can expect that
all things are possible. Saints, let’s meet the Master today in a special
way! Blessings, TWO ARMIES And it shall be, when you hear the
sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall
advance quickly. For then the Lord will go out before you to strike the
camp of the Philistines. And David did so, as the Lord commanded him; and
he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezer. The sound of marching David was
instructed to listen for was not a mere signal from the blowing wind.
Rather, it was the sound of the angelic armies of God going ahead of them
into battle. This scene portrays two different
armies. There is the natural army, the army of David. The other army is
the spiritual army of the Lord “marching in the tops of the mulberry
trees.” This is a frequent picture in the
Word of God. Remember when the Syrian army surrounded Elisha the
prophet’s house? (2 Kings 6:4) That army was sent to capture him.
Another army, a spiritual army came to his rescue. In the words of his
servant, “The mountain is full of horses and chariots of fire all around
Elisha.” This is a typical description in
the Word of God. There are two armies in every combat for righteousness. One is physical. One is spiritual.
The latter can be summoned through prayer. Jesus understood the angelic
realm well. To pray successfully, we must
understand the military nature of faith’s warfare. Armies are built with
order, authority, government, precision, obedience, respect, loyalty,
honor, integrity, duty, discipline, friendship, relationship, and
comradeship. The enemy will try to subvert these
qualities through lies, putdowns, bluffs, big talk, and deceptions. The
enemy can be overcome only by faithfulness and integrity. Truth always
triumphs over deceit. Saints, we are praying for a
Gideon’s faithful three hundred soldier army here. We will build beyond
that size. But our first objective is to gather the faithful few good
warriors. We will win many victories in the
future. The One who never lost a battle leads us onward to victory!
Let’s be willing. It’s time to move out. Blessings, Accessing the Reality of His Presence Yet a time is coming and has now come when the
true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are
the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is a Spirit, and His
worshippers must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24 NIV Religion
is filled with symbolisms, traditional artifacts, virtual allusions and
sentimental icons and shrines. Most of these are associated with a system
of rules and laws which are necessary to make them “work” for you. The
problem is that these are things of the natural realm. They are only
supposed to assist you in experiencing the supernatural. You
can experience the supernatural: but not
through religious activity. Only through the Holy Spirit can you access
God’s Presence. “God is a Spirit,” Jesus taught, “and they who
worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.” Anything else is
like trying to pick up FM radio signals with an AM radio receiver. Religion only fills you with pride. The Holy Spirit
honors humility. “He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”
(I Peter 5:5) The Holy Spirit presents you before the Lord only as
a servant. In His Presence “no one can boast.” (I Corinthians 1:29) No
one stands before Him as an elite, high level, influential Christian
operative. In His presence there are no preeminent positions. All are just
servants of the Most High God. The Spirit gives life. (John 6:23) Religious activity
is a poor substitute for Spirit life. The spiritual man walks by faith,
led by the Spirit of God. All that he is led to do honors the Lord Jesus
and diminishes self-importance. Is it any wonder that God seeks such
worshippers? Saints, He waits for those who humbly follow the
Spirit into His throne room. Let us be spiritual children. Grace, EXPERIENCE
GREATNESS Thine, O Lord, is the
greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty,
indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the
dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all.--
David’s prayer in I
Chronicles 29:11 Our Lord is a God of infinite power and majesty. By Him all things were made. He spoke the universes into being with a mere whispered word. Just a sweeping gesture of His finger brought forth the continents and raised up mighty mountains like the Rockies. We are His children. We
have in our spirits the seed of His eternal word. His Spirit dwells in us
with power. This truth, revealed in the Gospel, is comprehended
spiritually by faith. Knowledge and cleverness count for nothing. We must
have the Holy Spirit in order to understand this revelation. Christ Jesus came and died
to save sinful man, fallen Adam’s race. But His atoning death opened the
door for the new Adam to return to the paradise of intimate friendship
with God. We can experience His presence. We are throne children, called
to sit at His feet and worship. Vision is born there at the throne of God. We would all dream bigger
dreams if we knew the grand purpose to which we are called. The mature
Christian is one who understands the huge deposit of Christ’s eternal
Spirit he or she carries. Repentance actually means to “change our
minds.” The Holy Spirit today wants to change the way we think, to
enlarge our vision of Christ’s Kingdom, to help us see the grand
alliance we have with Jesus our Lord. Saints, let’s repent. Let
the Holy Spirit change our minds about the greatness of God’s purposes
for us. The mighty power of God is accessed only through our faith. Only Believe, DO YOU KNOW HIM? Lord, I knew you…
Matthew 25:24 Sometimes
we think we have knowledge about a thing or person when we actually only
have a residue of information. We may have some head knowledge, but not a
real heart experience, no sense of encounter. The
above quotation is from the parable of the talents. Jesus told the story
of three servants and their master. To one was given five talents. To
another was given two. The third received one talent. The
first two servants, knowing their master’s desire to expand, proceeded
to double their talents. But the third servant merely dug a hole and hid
his talent. His excuse for holding on to what he had been given was his
silly claim, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man…” Lord, I
knew you… Actually, that servant really did not know his master.
His master was not the kind of man who hides his talent. The others were
interested in the advancement of their master’s investment into their
lives. Because they loved him, they knew exactly what would please him.
They really knew Him. When you really know something you don’t have to
mouth off about it. If
you love Jesus, you will advance His cause and help expand His kingdom. If
you are not interested in the advancement of His Kingdom, you don’t
really know Jesus. Saints, His kingdom is ever increasing. Let Him
increase your faith. Expand your love for Him. Experience His Presence.
Expand His kingdom authority in your life. Get to know Him today. Blessings, THE CUP OF BLESSING The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?
John
18:11 The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood
of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body
of Christ? In
the Passover feast, the
third cup of wine was blessed as the cup “after supper.” It was in
this setting of the Passover meal that Jesus began to transform the
meaning of the cup and the bread into New Covenant thought. Thus the
dinner with all its mystical meanings began to be unfolded. When
we take communion, this outward act of faith is an active confession. We
are proclaiming, “in remembrance” all the Lord Jesus’ full
redemptive work—His atonement and His suffering for us. Through this
confession, by faith we lay hold of all the benefits He has provided us
through the cross. “Shall
I drink this cup?” Jesus had asked. He drank willingly because He knew
it had been given in love. We
also have been given a cup. This cup represents the circumstances of our
lives. Some of the heroic examples of the Bible, like Job and Jeremiah,
have emerged as great patterns of faithfulness for us today. But we can be
sure their cup was not easy to drink. Their trials are lessons of
endurance and faith for us. They held steadfastly to the promises of God. The
cup you have been given is given in love. It is God’s way of bringing
you to greater blessing. It will teach you how to handle the benefits God
is giving you in Christ. God has a reason, a purpose for everything. So
receive your cup with thankfulness. Receive it willingly. God did not hand
you this cup in spite. He gave it to you to make you like Christ. It is
good to the last drop. It is loaded with benefits. Come
to the Lord’s Supper today with a thankful heart. Even your trials point
the way to the blessings of the Lord. Remember all He has done for you.
And He has just beg Blessings, KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth as it is in heaven. -- Jesus in Luke 11:2 Jesus describes for us the heart and soul of praying effectively. He prays, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done," as the first order of true prayer. The kingdom is larger than our local needs, far more important than even our church. All that God does for us individually must fit into what He is doing corporately for the whole kingdom. If we can begin to see this truth, we will pray more effectively. Do we see ourselves as kingdom citizens? Do we see the larger picture? We are told to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) before we express other needs. In fact, when we get the kingdom, we receive the whole package. "All these other things," Jesus said, "will be added unto you." Do we want peace? Then let us seek the kingdom and pray we can get out of the way to let the kingdom come into our lives. The most common sin is the sin of missing the mark. When we deviate from the liberating Word of Truth, we sin the sin of missing the mark. The kingdom can only be established in us through our acceptance of truth. God’s Word. The word "kingdom" is a contraction of "king’s dominion." If we shun the King’s authority we miss the mark. Conversely, when we embrace the King’s authority, letting His Word have its rule in our hearts, we press more deliberately into the Kingdom. The result is greater authority, greater order, and an increase of righteousness, peace, and joy. Let us not have a conflict between our own kingdom and God’s. Let us pray as Jesus prayed and submit to the kingdom will of God. If we do, we will have peace even in the midst of a world-wide storm. His will be done! Pastor Robert
AWESOME PLACE
How awesome is this place! This is none other than the
house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!
Cathedrals cannot contain God. The house of God is more than some building. The house of God is wherever He chooses to dwell, wherever He chooses to place His eternal presence. The Word declares you are the Lord’s house and the temple of the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 6:19; Hebrews 3:6) Your very presence on the job or in the marketplace should bring about a divine encounter to others. You carry the Holy Spirit within you. When we come together for worship, celebration, and the Word we should have the sensing that we, together, are the true Bethel, nothing less than the living house of God. This is what Jacob expressed the night he encountered the Lord at a place he called Bethel. He had the distinct feeling that he had stumbled onto the very presence of God. "Surely the Lord is in this place," he exclaimed, "And I did not know it." (Genesis 28:16) People should feel that the church is an awesome place. They should literally feel awe and reverence in the presence of the Lord. That does not always translate into making folk merely "feel good." Jacob was moved to repent and make a vow unto the Lord. The effect of that encounter and vow would stay with him all his days. He would often recall "the God of Bethel" and how profoundly that night impacted him. I pray that this mountain will become known as an awesome place of the Lord’s presence. Our vision must remain strong. Remember, this is a place of dreams. This is the house of God. This is in a sense Bethel. Let’s go out from here on our journey to touch nations. Peace and grace, VISION AND PROVISION Now to Him who, by the power that is at work within us,
is able to do super abundantly, far over and above all that we ask or
think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or
dreams.)--To Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all
generations forever and ever, amen.
I am often reminded of a quotation from the diary of Hudson Taylor who was an early missionary to inland China, "God’s work, done God’s way, never lacks support." He was far from the established lines of support. His work seemed to be totally lost from sight in the vast spiritual wilderness of China. Yet he built a great work which still thrives amidst all opposition and oppression. The key is being true to the heavenly vision. Paul the Apostle knew this principle well. "I have not been disobedient to the heavenly vision." he declared to King Agrippa, the highest authority in his land. (Acts 26:19) These words were spoken as Paul recounted his encounter with Jesus and his subsequent calling. When you are faithful to your heavenly calling you are in the Lord’s anointed channel of blessing. When you leave that particular flow, you are on your own. It is incumbent upon each of us to find that deep center stream channel of God’s anointing and supply. When we are obedient to that directive we have all our needs met and more! Cleddie Keith called me to prophesy this word for us: "You have planted miracle seed. You are going to have a miracle harvest. Prayer Mountain is a miracle work." This ministry was born in prayer and passion. We have had a deep sense of being called out, separated for a unique work which complements other ministries in the Kingdom. Saints, course changes are necessary to stay true to the vision. We are sometimes like a ship blown off course by certain forces—often beyond our control. Jesus is our pilot. He is at the helm. Let Him make the turns. He will save us from shipwreck. We go with the flow of His vision. He will make provision for our success—in Him. Stay the course. Grace and Peace,
THERE IS A RIVER There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God…God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. Psalm 46:4 And He showed me a pure river of water of life,
clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The river, which symbolizes all the blessings of God’s Spirit, all the joy of His Presence, flows through the city of God. All of us who want vibrant, abundant life are urged to plunge into its water. But we must also surrender to the current of this pure stream. The power of a great river is unstoppable. Men may try in vain to harness it. In like manner, we do not get to determine where the move of God takes us. It goes wherever it wills. I grew up near the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou—now the Houston Ship Channel. Near my home were several ox-bow lakes. These are stranded bow shaped lakes cut off from the fresh flow of the river. Once the river flowed through them. But during a flood, the river met some obstruction and changed its course to flow away from the old channel. Water is still there in these lakes, but it has absolutely no dynamic flow. It is stagnant water. In Israel, the one and only river is the Jordan. To get to it when we were there, we had to travel downward. It is lower than all the rest of the land. The river of God is like that. To access it, you must lower yourself. The humble, the contrite, the thirsty may easily access it. But it is much more difficult for the high and mighty crowd. I pray that Mountain Creek will always be an essence of God’s refreshing stream. Pure and moving, we are to flow as a mountain stream. The Lord’s current will take us where we have never been. Come take the plunge. The Spirit is moving. There is healing, joy, and wholeness in its flow, for it issues from the throne of God. Let the Spirit carry you to a new place in God. Jesus moved in that river. Come to the waters. Blessings,
THE NORMAL CHURCH And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 These signs shall follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. Mark 16:18 The true Church of Jesus Christ is meant to be like Him. He is the pattern! Real. Powerful. Strong and masculine. Adventurous. A refuge. Victorious warrior. Healer. Full of courage and compassion. Occasionally a new visitor to our services will stare at us as if our meetings are somehow abnormal. They are not used to a vibrant, joyous service. They have wrongly assumed that their own experience in a typical, present day traditional congregation is "the norm." The Church we read about in the Book of Acts should be the norm. Compared to that example, contemporary congregations pale into an abnormal, bottom-of-the-chart position. Where did people get the idea that the Lord’s Church is to have an effete, mousy, mortuary-like atmosphere? We may certainly enjoy quiet, candlelight moments. But the Book of Acts Church never suggests that the requisite of church assemblies is to sit still in a hushed position. To the contrary! While noise was not a necessary "norm," there was obviously a powerful dynamic present, drawing on the operations of God’s great power. It’s hard to sit still when wonderful things are happening. Witness the spectators at a sports team’s victory. We make no apology for being different. We pray that the real difference is the measurable presence of the invisible God—and not the energy of our flesh. The Lord is generous and gracious to those who seek Him with all their hearts. Come pursue God with us today. As the Psalmist cried, "My soul follows hard after Thee!" (Psalm 63:8) Experience God’s Presence. Expand Christ’s Kingdom. Rejoice, Church. That’s normal. Blessings, Pastor Robert KNOWING HIM But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…Philippians 3:7-10 There is a valuable "first love" to our relationship with Christ. However, it can be lost just as "first love" can be lost in a marriage. I have seen how people have experienced a genuine, transforming encounter with the Lord Jesus. The relationship is the chief thing. It is the center, the very source of joy. Unfortunately, with time religion often takes the place of relationship. Life becomes a matter of habits, rituals, and the same ol’ routine. People get used to it all. Bored. The same patterns can be traced from "first love" courtship into marriage. The loss of passion is an indicator of loss in the relationship. Relationship is the main thing. Knowing Christ is far more important than doing works for Him. Because we are privileged to know Him, we get to participate in His work. But remember, works are no substitute for knowing Him. Whatever level we have attained needs to be counted as loss for the excellent opportunity of knowing Christ. Someone has said, "The opportunity of a lifetime must be entered into in the lifetime of the opportunity." The prophet Isaiah exhorted, "Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near." (55:6) Now is the time to worship Him, to seek Him, and to know Him. If not now, when? Please don’t wait until it is too late. Grace, Pastor Robert VISION AND REST Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 NIV Where there is no vision the people perish. Proverbs 29:18 The wellspring of faith is hope. Hope and confidence come from the presence of the Lord. Hearing His eternal word brings courage to press on in the original plan that God has for our lives. Through prayer, persistent prayer, Abraham birthed a nation. Hannah’s prayers birthed a prophet, Samuel. Daniel’s prayers prepared the way for the restoration of Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Elijah’s prayers birthed rain after years of drought. All these heroes prayed out of hope in the midst of great trials. Hope sees the unseen. Faith then pursues and lays hold of the invisible, until it becomes visible. A well flows from the bottom upwards. From the invisible depths, refreshing comes. So also God’s kingdom moves like flowing water from the invisible to the visible. From vague to vital. Prayer makes the difference. All things are possible in this New Year. We must learn to walk by faith, to see through the eyes of hope. If we do this, we shall learn to flow with God’s divine, set plan for our lives. We will see what God sees. The Lord Jesus will lead us like a shepherd. We will have rest for our souls as He leads us through green pastures beside still waters. Peace, and Happy New Year, SOLDIER, FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare. 1 Timothy 1:18 Fight the good fight of faith… 1 Timothy 6:12 How you handle your adversary under difficult conditions is the very thing which validates your ministry. I have walked the sandy beach of Northern France which came to be known in World War II by its code name, Omaha Beach. Looking up at the high chalk cliffs still filled with old concrete "pill boxes," I could see that young American soldiers captured the high ground at great peril and cost. We are free today because of their sacrifices. In the fitting words of Abraham Lincoln, "they gave the last full measure of their devotion." Believer, today we are at war. It is an invisible war, the war of the gods. Our Lord is looking for a few good soldiers. Who will fight the good fight? Victory is already assured for us because of Jesus’ triumph through the cross. But we must "mop up." We get to finish the task. Our Supreme Commander guides us onward. He knows the plans, has the battle charts. All we must do is follow Him. We cannot sit idly by, nestled into our comfort zones. We must get into the fray through our spiritual prayers and volunteer service. Saints, the Lord has entrusted into our stewardship almost 75 acres. The potential here is huge. But we must contend for victory. Remember all that the Lord has promised you. Then think of all He has covenanted to do for us together as the Church. Like David of old, let us stir ourselves up by remembering all the Lord has done for us. Then let us pursue the enemy until his power is broken and his captives released. "Shout, for the Lord has given us the city." Believe it! Pastor Robert
WAITING FOR DESTINY So Jesus answered and said to him (Bartimaeus the blind man), "What do you want Me to do for you?" Mark 10:51 Bible stories are full of real life examples of people who, with God’s help, overcame tremendous difficulty to arrive at their destiny. How did they get there? How did they break through? Three things stand out in all these heroic stories. First is faith and faithfulness. In the story of Bartimaeus, the blind man, he merely kept on at his beggar’s post begging. Yet when he heard of Jesus, his faith grew. He acknowledged Jesus as Messiah by calling out to him, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Second, this blind beggar cast aside his garment and arose and ran to Jesus. His garment was that which identified him as a beggar. He no longer wanted that role, that identity. Finally, he came to Jesus and said, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Jesus then healed him. Often our miracles fall out to the good of others. The gospel of Matthew records that there were two blind beggars. Evidently Bartimaeus’ persistence encouraged a buddy, a fellow beggar. Both received their sight. Both had their miracle. Yet only Bartimaeus is recorded as then "following Jesus." Destiny comes to those who through persistence lay hold of eternity. We should not let anything stand in the way of our future. We seize upon the future by pushing through to Jesus. Saints, press on to Him. Adversity cannot deny you of your miracle destiny. The Lord covenants with us to lead us all the way. Blessings, Pastor Robert
PREACHING THE GOSPEL For whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? …So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10: 13 – 15, 17 Suppose you were teaching a survival class on the art of determining direction. You would obviously talk about the sun’s arc from east to west. At night, you could utilize the positions of the moon and stars. If you had access to a compass, you would instruct them in the skill of bearing, or heading. There are other hints such as moss growing on the northern shaded side of trees in a forest. If your students were combat pilots flying missions over hostile territory, your job would be saving lives. Your information would then be a matter of life and death. Your material must be accurate. You would feel a deep sense of responsibility. You sure wouldn’t want to bore them to sleep. Our call to preach the gospel carries the same weight. Preaching and witnessing are God’s ways to persuade men of the living truth of the gospel. We share this truth to save lives—for all eternity! Our witness is most effective when we show and do not just tell. The most convincing form of communication is still that of the personal touch, a "this happened to me" anecdote. This is my story. This is why I have hope in perilous times. (I Peter 3:15) Let your life be your message. Be a billboard that is known and read by all men. One of the best examples of ministering Christ through your life’s testimony is General Vychislav Borisov from Russia. God is using his story to reach thousands of unbelievers. Listen carefully to how he lifts up Jesus as Lord. No, you will never be a Russian general. But you can be a witness to your neighbors at the Dollar General store the next time you encounter them. Just tell them your story. If they listen, give the short version of the old, old story found in John 3:16. Remember, someone shared the gospel with a Russian general. That is why he is here today. Saints, proclaim the Good News of God’s love. Shalom, Pastor Robert THE SECRET But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6 We all love a good secret. When I was a schoolboy, I remember walking into the Chevrolet dealership on Main Street in our small town. It was a bright October day. There was a canvas cover stretched over a new automobile on the showroom floor. A salesman beckoned me to watch as he took off the wraps from a brand new 1953 two-tone BelAire Chevrolet. He allowed me a momentary glimpse (actually a wide-eyed stare) before replacing the cover. The introduction to that vehicle would be a week from that day. I was privileged to know a secret! Many of the best things are out workings of a secret moment. You were conceived in secret and formed in a secret place. (See Psalm 139:13) Treasures are hidden in secret places. Surprises are best when secrecy is involved. In fact, we have a wonderful saying, "The best kept secret…" Our secret to a successful life in Christ is found in the secret place of prayer. Everyone needs to experience intimate, private, and personal time alone with God. The hidden life is an essential part of our public success in the Kingdom of God. We are privileged to meet the Lord in secret places—and dwell in the shadow of His glory. There is a special promise for us if we will make this our habit: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 Blessings, Pastor Robert SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things it is impossible for God to lie… Hebrews 6:17,18 This is our hope: For we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) God’s purposes are unchanging. All who walk through the arena of our daily life, whether benefactors or detractors, all parties end up being a part of the will of God in our lives. Jesus could call Judas His "friend" because Judas’ betrayal would become a sovereign part of God’s "immutable counsel" for His Son Jesus. The law of the cross speaks that the worst thing that happens to us, God can make work for us. We live by this hope. Every day we face altered plans. Maybe someone throws a wrench into the gears of our procedures. We are forced to fall back to Plan B. Only later we would discover that Plan B turned out to be more important, more workable than our original Plan A. The eternal purposes of God remain unhindered, unstopped. Satan may oppose. He may try to thwart. But he is powerless to alter God’s unchanging plan. We certainly are free to miss God’s best. He does not force us to accept His way. Remember, our failure will not defeat the inexorable will of God. Our failure only excludes us. It is our loss. Not His. Still, we do not have to lose anything—no matter what weapon is formed against us. We can walk on with God enjoying "the immutability of His counsel." In our lifetime, some people will bless us, others will curse us. Through it all, God shows Himself good to us! All the time. Some things never change. Grace and peace, Pastor Robert HIS MANIFESTED GLORY This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. John 2:11 Bible prophecy rustles with the hope that in these last days the glory of the Lord will be revealed in His Church. Everyone desires to see His glory. But what is His glory? And how will it affect me? Is His glory good? Or is it something which is just too awesome and remote to benefit me? What is the takeaway? First and foremost, God’s glory is revealed in His goodness, love, and mercy. He is good. All the time! In Jesus’ miracle of turning the water into wine at the wedding in Cana, His goodness is revealed. This miracle touched families, undergirded marriage, and provided care and supply for the poor as well. Wine symbolizes mirth. In the New Testament, it also speaks of the blood of Jesus’ New Covenant. When Jesus first acted to reveal Himself as Creator, He did so in the modest setting of a family backyard wedding reception. He brought joy. He covered their lack. He cares for all the issues of my life—and yours. He even cares about our small problems. In so doing, He daily reveals His glory to us. We can sing with the Psalmist, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. All the time! Grace, Pastor Robert KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 The Church in America needs a wholesome dread of displeasing the Father. We need a righteous fear of God. Our Lord is wonderful in every way. He is a God of inestimable goodness! But we dare not take Him for granted. People today show far too much casualness in coming into His Presence. We cannot merely stroll into His courts with impiety. We must enter with thanksgiving and praise. We enter by the blood of the Lamb. Worship is sacred. We must enter intentionally with hearts full of honor and respect. God’s grace is amazing grace. It is not some cheap commodity to be frittered away. Grace is costly. We must be careful not to take for granted the precious privileges we have received due to the Lord’s sacrifice. Let love, honor, and regard for His Presence be the hallmark of our gatherings. "If I am your Father," the Lord asks, "then where is My honor?" (Malachi 1:6) None of us wants to encounter divine displeasure. So let us take care that our thoughts, our words, and our actions are wrought out before the face of God. Let us never take His grace for granted nor despise His holiness. Judgment begins in the house of God. Let us serve reverently, joyfully. Remember, all victory begins with godly fear. He has made this promise: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings." (Malachi 4:2) O Lord, give us a reverent fear of Your holy character. Grace, Pastor Robert WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20, 21 Since September 11, 2001 we have begun to see some light in America’s darkest night. The terrorists’ 9/11 attack cost 2800 lives and is directly responsible for over 95,000,000,000 dollars in lost revenue to the American economy. But God is able to turn tragedy to triumph. We are beginning to see revival in the Church from border to border. America today is a nation without excuse. The Gospel has been widely proclaimed here. People know that we are a nation "under God." Yet we are seeing a rise in anti-Christ attitudes more than ever before. One thing the Church in America needs is a deep sense of being needy, hungry, and thirsty. We are affluent. We have been greatly blessed in material things. Yet we lack His Presence. We need burning hearts that will cry out for revival, for the Lord’s Presence to fill our cities with the spirit of love. I believe God’s message to a post 9/11 America is "Repent. Turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit." (Ezekiel 18:31) America, God shed His grace on thee. Blessings, Pastor Robert
FAITH COMES So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Romans 10:17 I have used a shortened title here to emphasize a point: "faith comes." Faith is a coming thing. You have to use what you have or lose what you have— like a water well which must be utilized or abandoned. Because faith is a living spiritual thing (in the sense that living waters are not stagnant waters) we must always access it on a fresh, daily basis. Often people tell me they have stopped reading the Word because they have lost faith. The downward cycle is broken only when we again open our lives to the power of the Word. Only the Word has power to build faith. Faith has a waiting factor to it. Faith is seed. Seed has life in it. But only a waiting season produces a crop. So do not give up. Be patient. Church, God has wonderful things for us. But all of them will come by faith. So let faith come by the Word of God. Grace, HOPE OF TOMORROW OF ALL THE MIRACLES OF the prophets, the miracle of Elisha at Samaria is one of the most impressive. He had been sent by God to proclaim plenty to a city which was in starvation: Thus says the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel. (2 Kings 7:1) The city of Samaria was besieged by the vast, Syrian army. The army had cut off all supply routes into the city. People inside the city were dying of starvation. Daily they committed cannibalism. The prophet Elisha went by inspiration of the Lord to prophesy divine supply to the stricken city. Some people scoffed at his words. Early in the morning a group of quarantined, leprous beggars who stayed outside the city walls approached the city with their required shouts of, "Unclean! Unclean!" The Syrian army, not understanding what was happening, assumed the worst. They thought their dreaded enemy, the Egyptian army, was approaching on their rear flank. The Syrians scattered in total disarray. The beggars discovered that the fleeing army had abandoned huge stores of food, as well as their horse mounts. They ran to the Samaritan gate porters and told of their discovery. At first no one believed them. Eventually, their story was substantiated by the king’s security men. The whole starving population then rushed out to consume the food which had been abandoned by the Syrians. Even then, a huge amount of food remained. Indeed, a measure of fine flour could be bought for a shekel. God had worked an unusual miracle, involving unwitting enemies in the process. People who follow the Lord can always have hope. God can do anything. He can multiply loaves and fishes or expropriate the food on an alien army. Today, trust Jesus the Lord. Do not worry about tomorrow. The Lord is your source of supply. Remember, joy comes in the morning.
Blessings, WHAT GOD WANTS OF ME For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV What’s the plan? Do you know what God has planned for you? One thing is certain: He is not scurrying around to find something for us to do. He had His wondrous works all planned out before time began. He is ready and waiting. Now the questions: Are you ready? How radical are your choices? Do you want to discover His marvelous works? Are you willing to walk in them? What are you willing to concede in order to obtain them? You can have God’s best in Christ Jesus. You must be willing to press toward the mark of His high calling. So this is the issue—are you willing to abandon your comfort zone, forsake your old habitual ways and follow Him? Too often the Church creates professional, cash intensive programs to rescue the saints from doing what ought to come naturally with their spiritual walk. Yet it is in this spiritual walk that we find higher things and rewarding opportunities. We were made for "good works." These works are created as a custom fit for each member Saints, let’s not miss out on any good thing God has planned for us to do. Bigger and better adventures await us. Let’s walk with Him into all He has for us. Grace, Pastor Robert
ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16 America needs to recover her patriots’ dream of a nation of liberty under God. Deception occurs whenever a people prefer to listen to fables instead of truth. Today’s blockbuster Hollywood films speak loudly of |